# NTSB LAX91DUJ01: Joseph W. Hillbrand Sonerai IIL, N119JH, Maricopa, AZ, October 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1990, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, AZ
- Location: 33.0581° N, 112.0476° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maricopa, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0581&lon=-112.0476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91DUJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91DUJ01

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect (cause)
  - fuel supply - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A BUSH NEXT TO RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, HIT A CULVERT, CARTWHEELED, AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE PILOT STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF AFTER EXPERIENCING ENGINE POWER SURGES ON THE FIRST TRY. THE PILOT ALSO STATED HE HAD FILLED THE FUEL TANKS WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WHICH CONTAINED AN MTBE ADDITIVE. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N119JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N119JH-1994-03-03), registration cancelled 1994-03-03, S/N 01576L (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOSEPH W. HILLBRAND SONERAI IIL (SONERAI II)
- Registry model: [Hillebrand Joseph W MOD SONERAI II L](https://openairdocs.org/model/hillebrand-joseph-w-mod-sonerai-ii-l) (registry code 05659AA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01576L
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hillebrand, Joseph W.
- Registered owner: Hillebrand, Joseph W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: E 31, Ak Chin, runway 35, 2,900 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19901017047059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901017047059A), Oct 17, 1990: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Struck a culvert and flipped over. Pilot believes fuel problem. Auto fuel additive.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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